In 1954, the United Nations established Universal Children’s Day dedicated to improving children’s welfare worldwide. It is celebrated annually on November 20. Besides, many countries have their own national holidays to celebrate children. For example, Children’s Day in Myanmar (former Burma) is celebrated on February 13.

The date of Myanmar’s Children’s Day coincides with the birthday of Aung San, a Burmese revolutionary, politician and general who is considered the Father of the Nation in present-day Myanmar. He fought for Burma’s independence from Japan and the United Kingdom. It was decided to celebrate Aung San’s birthday as Children’s Day because he fought for a better future for Burmese children.

In the late 1980s, a military dictatorship was established in Myanmar. Naturally, the military government didn’t encourage the celebration of Aung San’s birthday and, by extension, Children’s Day. The situation began to change after the 2011–2012 democratic reforms. Today, Children’s Day is officially celebrated in schools across Myanmar.

On February 13, Burmese schools host special events for students. Their main goal is to emphasize the importance of education for the future of Burmese children, as well as to raise awareness of the problems that children and their parents face on a daily basis.